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  1. Home
  2. Amplifiers
  3. Hegel H150 vs Rotel RA-1592 MKII
Hegel H150 vs Rotel RA-1592 MKII
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Hegel H150

Integrated Amplifier | 75 watts RMS into 8-ohms

Hegel H150
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Rotel RA-1592 MKII

Integrated Amplifier | 200 watts RMS into 8-ohms

Rotel RA-1592 MKII
Check price atAmazon›
Hegel H150 Hegel H150
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Rotel RA-1592 MKII Rotel RA-1592 MKII
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Hegel H150
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Rotel RA-1592 MKII
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Hegel H150 vs Rotel RA-1592 MKII Integrated Amplifier Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different types of amplifiers. Hegel H150 is a Streaming Integrated Amplifier speaker whereas the RA-1592 MKII is a Integrated Amplifier with built-in DAC speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Hegel H150 and Rotel RA-1592 MKII first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsHegel H150Rotel RA-1592 MKII
BrandHegel
Norway · founded 1988
Rotel
Japan · founded 1961
Power75 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms, rated at 1 kHz and 1% THD200 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 350 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms
Amplifier classClass A/BClass A/B
Damping factor2000—
Built-in DACYesYes
Phono inputYesYes
Headphone outputNo3.5mm
BluetoothNoYes
App controlYes—
Weight9.71kg / 21.4lbs17.64kg / 38.8lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)3-15/16" x 16-15/16" x 13-3/4"
100 x 430 x 350 mm
5-7/8" x 17-1/16" x 17-1/8"
150.0mm x 434.0mm x 435.0mm

What size room are the Hegel H150 and Rotel RA-1592 MKII Amplifiers good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use these amplifiers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their max power parameters:

Listening Environment Hegel H150 Rotel RA-1592 MKII
Near-field Poor Are you nuts?
Small Room Average Bad
Mid-size Room Good Poor
Large Room Average Good
Very Large Room Poor Good

The rest of this page covers where each one wins, how they compare in size, their inputs and outputs, the full specifications and a verdict.


Reasons to choose Hegel H150 over Rotel RA-1592 MKII
Full-color Display Yes vs No Displays Album and device Info
App-Based Control Yes vs None Control the amplifier via an app
Minimum Impedance 2 ohms vs 4 ohms Compatible with 2-ohms speakers
Apple AirPlay Yes vs No Compatible with Apple Devices with AirPlay
Built-in Chromecast Yes vs No Compatible with Chromecast Streaming
Built-in Chromecast Yes vs No Compatible with Chromecast Streaming
Base Surface Area 1505.0cm2/ 233.3inch2 vs 1887.9cm2/ 292.6inch2 takes less space in your room
Height 100mm vs 150mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Radio Tuner Internet radio vs Not stated Built-in radio, so no extra box for broadcast listening

Reasons to choose Rotel RA-1592 MKII over Hegel H150
MSRP Price(*) 3,200USD vs 3,600USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
Watts into 8-ohms 200 watts vs 75 watts Delivers higher power into 8-ohms speakers
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 0.008% vs 0.01% Less Harmonic Distortion
Signal to Noise Ratio 103 dB vs 100 dB Higher ratings results in cleaner sound
Bluetooth Yes vs No Stream music via Bluetooth devices
Total Analog Inputs 4 vs 3 More options for connecting Analog sources
Optical Digital Inputs 3 vs 2 More options for connecting Digital sources
Coaxial Digital Inputs 3 vs 1 More options for connecting Digital sources
Headphone Output 3.5mm vs No Connect your headphone to the amplifier
Max Bit Depth 32-bit vs 24-bit Play higher resolution range media
Max Sample Rate 384kHz vs 192kHz Play higher resolution media

Size, drawn to scale

FRONTHegel H150 front: 430 x 100 mm (16.9 x 3.9 in)Rotel RA-1592 MKII front: 434 x 150 mm (17.1 x 5.9 in)Hegel H150430 × 100 mmRotel RA-1592 MKII434 × 150 mmTOP / FOOTPRINTHegel H150 footprint: 430 x 350 mm (16.9 x 13.8 in)Rotel RA-1592 MKII footprint: 434 x 435 mm (17.1 x 17.1 in)Hegel H150430 × 350 mmRotel RA-1592 MKII434 × 435 mm
Both amplifiers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.

One scale for both, aligned at the back panels the way they would sit against a wall, so the deeper one visibly stands further out.

Rotel RA-1592 MKII needs about 25% more shelf area. Rotel RA-1592 MKII is 85mm deeper - the measurement that decides whether a rack door closes. Rotel RA-1592 MKII is 50mm taller.

Inputs and Outputs

The input and output selections that are offered is an important factor when comparing two amplifiers. Here you can find how the I/O selections of the Hegel H150 and Rotel RA-1592 MKII differs from each other.

Hegel H150 Inputs
  • Total Number of Analog Inputs: 3
  • RCA Line Input
  • Phono Input
  • 2 Optical Digital Input
  • 1 Coaxial Digital Input
  • USB Input:
    • USB-B audio input plus USB-A 2.0 for playback from a drive (up to 10
    • 000 songs)
  • Ethernet Port
  • XLR Input Port
Rotel RA-1592 MKII Inputs
  • Total Number of Analog Inputs: 4
  • Phono Input
  • 3 Optical Digital Input
  • 3 Coaxial Digital Input
  • USB Input:
    • USB-A front(Connects to iOS devices)
    • USB-B (allows connection to your Windows PC or Mac computer)
  • Ethernet Port
Outputs
  • One unbalanced variable RCA line out Preamp Outputs
Outputs
  • Stereo RCA, Sub Preamp Outputs
  • 3.5mm Headphone Output
  • Subwoofer Output

Balanced connections

Hegel H150 has balanced XLR connections and Rotel RA-1592 MKII does not. A balanced cable carries the signal twice, on two conductors of opposite polarity. Interference picked up along the way lands on both equally and cancels when the two are recombined at the far end, so the longer the cable run and the noisier the surroundings, the more it is worth. Whether it also yields more power depends on how the amplifier is built inside - some are balanced end to end, others convert to single-ended internally and deliver the same either way.

Rotel RA-1592 MKII Back View
Rotel RA-1592 MKII Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

What's in the Box of Rotel RA-1592 MKII?

Here are the items that come with the RA-1592 MKII:
  • Stereo integrated amplifier
  • 58-inch AC power cord
  • Remote control (RR-AX150)
  • 2 AA batteries
  • 5-feet USB-B to USB-A cable
  • 57-inch Ethernet cable
  • Quick Installation Guide
  • Warranty/Registration Card
  • Important Safety Instructions
  • Addendum For Roon Test

Hegel H150 vs Rotel RA-1592 MKII full specifications

Every spec we hold for both, side by side
SpecificationHegel H150Rotel RA-1592 MKII
Overview
BrandHegelRotel
TypeStreaming Integrated AmplifierIntegrated Amplifier with built-in DAC
CategoryStreaming Amplifier–
Channels22
Amplifier classClass A/BClass A/B
Output devicesSolid StateSolid State
ReleasedOctober 2025April 2021
List price$3,600$3,200
SeriesHRA
Power and performance
Power into 8 ohms75 W RMS200 W RMS
Power into 4 ohms–350 W RMS
Power, as rated75 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms, rated at 1 kHz and 1% THD200 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 350 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms
Minimum impedance2 ohms4 ohms
Damping factor2000–
Signal-to-noise ratio100 dB103 dB
THD0.01%0.008%
Frequency bandwidth5 Hz-100 kHz20 Hz-20 kHz
Digital and DAC
Built-in DACYesYes
DAC chipHegel in-house DAC, 24-bit/192kHz over coaxial, USB and networkTexas Instruments (TI) 32-bit/384kHz
Max bit depth24-bit32-bit
Max sample rate192 kHz384 kHz
PCM–Yes
MQA–Yes
Network and streaming
Wi-FiNo–
EthernetYesYes
BluetoothNoYes
Bluetooth codecs–AptX,AAC,SBC
AirPlay 2–No
ChromecastYesNo
RoonReadyTested
BluOS–No
HEOS–No
DTS Play-Fi–No
Streaming servicesSpotify, Tidal, Qobuz–
Inputs
Analogue inputs34
RCA inputsYes–
XLR inputsYes–
Phono inputYesYes
Phono typeMMMM
Optical digital23
Coaxial digital13
USB inputYesYes
USB typeUSB-B audio input plus USB-A 2.0 for playback from a drive (up to 10,000 songs)USB-A front(Connects to iOS devices), USB-B (allows connection to your Windows PC or Mac computer)
HDMI inputNo–
Outputs
Preamp outputsOne unbalanced variable RCA line outStereo RCA, Sub
Pre-out / main-in loop–No
Subwoofer output–Yes
Headphone outputNo3.5mm
Speaker terminalsBinding posts–
A/B speaker terminals–Yes
Features and control
DisplayYes–
Tone controls–Yes
Direct / pure mode–Yes
CD playerNoNo
Radio tunerInternet radio–
Handheld remoteYesYes
Remote model–RR-AX150
App controlYes–
Auto power–Yes
RS232 portNo–
Physical
Dimensions (H x W x D)100 x 430 x 350 mm150.0mm x 434.0mm x 435.0mm
Dimensions, inches3-15/16 x 16-15/16 x 13-3/4 inch5-7/8inch x 17-1/16inch x 17-1/8inch
Weight9.71 kg (21.40 lbs)17.64 kg (38.80 lbs)
FinishesBlackBlack,Silver
Removable power cord–IEC 2-prong
Parts warranty–5 Years
Labour warranty–5 Years

A dash means the manufacturer does not publish that figure, or it does not apply. 67 specifications compared.

Verdict

These are not the same size of amplifier: Rotel RA-1592 MKII has roughly 2.7x the power of Hegel H150. That is about 4.3dB, so it is a question of room size and how hard your speakers are to drive, not of one being the better amplifier.

AreaBetterWhy
PowerBRotel RA-1592 MKII has more power - 200W against 75W into 8 ohms. That is about 4.3dB, so it plays usefully louder before it runs out and has more in hand on peaks.
Room sizedependsWe rate Hegel H150 the better fit for desk or near-field listening, a small room and a mid-size room, and Rotel RA-1592 MKII for a large room and a very large room. Match the amplifier to the room you actually have, not the one you want.
Speaker load ratingAHegel H150 is rated down to 2 ohms against 4, so it is the safer partner for a low-impedance speaker.
Noise floorBRotel RA-1592 MKII is the quieter design on paper - 103dB against 100dB. Audible mainly with sensitive speakers in a quiet room.
Built-in DACBBoth decode on board. Rotel RA-1592 MKII goes higher - 384kHz against 192kHz. Very few recordings exist above 192kHz, so treat this as headroom, not as sound quality.
Streamingevenly matchedOnly Hegel H150 has Chromecast. Neither list is longer in a way that matters - check the one service you actually pay for.
Analogue inputsBRotel RA-1592 MKII takes more analogue sources - 4 against 3.
Room to growevenly matchedThe same expansion options on both.
HeadphonesdependsOnly Rotel RA-1592 MKII has a headphone output. Worth something if you listen late, nothing if you never do.
Shelf spacedependsHegel H150 takes up about 20% less shelf area (1505cm² against 1888cm²), and it is 85mm shallower, which is the measurement that decides whether a rack door shuts.
PriceBRotel RA-1592 MKII costs less - $3,200 against $3,600 at list.
Watts per dollarBRotel RA-1592 MKII is the cheaper watt - about $16 per watt against $48. A blunt measure, and it says nothing about how either sounds, but it is the honest one for raw output.

A Hegel H150  B Rotel RA-1592 MKII
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both amplifiers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.

Which should you choose?

Rotel RA-1592 MKII is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Hegel H150 if one of the "depends" rows above describes your system. Start with the room. In a large or open-plan room, or with speakers that are hard to drive - low sensitivity, or an impedance that dips - Rotel RA-1592 MKII has the headroom, and headroom is what stops an amplifier hardening up on peaks. At desk distance or in a small room, 75 watts is already more than most people ever use, and the extra 125 watts would be headroom you pay for and never hear - we rate Rotel RA-1592 MKII poorly for near-field use for exactly that reason.

What a spec sheet cannot show: how either sounds with your speakers, how the controls feel day to day, and what the app is like to live with - which is where most all-in-one amplifiers are actually won or lost. Power figures are the manufacturers' own and are not measured to a common standard, so treat small differences as noise. If you can hear both, that will tell you more than any row above.

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